What part of the country do you live in? What elements of this house are arts and crafts? it sounds like you may be wading in without a clear plan for where you're going, and that's how you end up with a remuddle problem to begin with.

Thx for your questions. The house is in Denver where the neighborhood is primarily arts and crafts bungalows (or that's what they call it here) . Actually, I'm not the one who is confused - the house itself is (or at least the people who did the original renovation were) confused! I am trying to figure out how to deal with this odd fireplace. I am currently renting one block away and the homes are very similar. My furnishings, artwork and decor look amazing here. However, the rental home has a more traditional F/P both in style and location; whereas, as you can see, the one I'm moving into, the f/p is in an awkward location and is a weird shape. So,my question remains, any suggestions for creative ways using decor to work with the f/p (i'm not renovating, just decorating).

Because the tiled area is so small in proportion to the whole chimney, I'd be inclined to paint the whole chimney dark like the tile. I can't really see if it's black or dark blue, but it looks like there are at least some blue accents in the tile. So, if that would complement the colors you will have in your home, I'd do that - a fairly dark blue - I'd probably paint the trim in that area to match the wall so you don't have a band of white at the floor.

And unless you love the niche, I'd just cover it over with a wonderful piece of art.

I think your house is so cool! I'd probably paint the doors bright colors, unify the flooring, maybe a warm white on the walls, and I'd paint the fireplace the same as the walls, or tile the whole thing. The stubby bit of tile there really isn't all it could be. So much potential for art, color, and texture!

For the flooring I'd do something light, maybe a bleached saltillo or limestone. Is that a wood burning fireplace?

I would remove the FP it is never going to be in the right pace no matter how you paint it.

I feel your stair way is more out of line for your home's age. It looks like someone drywalled it in the 80s i think is was mostlikely an open wood banister originally. I would focus money and attention there first.

Thank you for your insights! - and agree that the staircase sucks, but no there wouldn't have been an original one before that. These houses were all single storey. Second storey was the reno in the 80s. As I said though, I'm not seeking demolition work, just a decorative approach to dealing with the existing walls.

Hemina - thank you for your suggestion to cover the inset, which is way too small for the size of the room. I have beautiful art from all over the world and it never occurred to me to simple hang it right over.

Robin, Thank you very much for your thoughtful insights. The home is sweet, but the unsympathetic renovation form the 80s means I need to claw some of the character back. Thank you again!

Patricia - yes, I'd love to move the f/p but as noted above, I'm not able to renovate for now, so only seeking decorative ideas. Thank you for taking the time!

was confused by your intent to change flooring and all the rest. sounded like renovation requests. :) agree with advice to add mantel, cover niche. you might be able to square up the chimney outline relatively inexpensively, if that would make it less strange to you.

Is that a copper color I see in those small squares on the wall of the fireplace, if so, I would find a copper color to do that whole wall to unite it. Then I'd find a lovely arts and crafts large tile to sit inside the box OR use a beautiful arts and crafts style painting to cover it and call it a day. Maybe a copper basket to hold a few logs for effect.

I'd kill for that front door and closet door which look like they have the original glass knobs. Fabulous.

I agree with acm and Design Girl. I do like the suggestions on the fireplace that will do fine for now. But this shot of your entry and fireplace have me curious on what the house was supposed to look like. The fireplace looks Spanish style...now. But the arched door makes me think of a Tudor revival house, or a Craftsman. And I am not sure what your personal style is. I have discovered through trial and error that sometimes you have to know what the rules are before breaking them. I would love to see the outside, that might give a clue. Seeing the rest of this room might help too.

At any rate, can't wait to see how you make this home your own! Keep us posted.

It's such a weird spot for a fireplace! At first I thought maybe you should just get rid of it because it's so awkward for furniture placement. But, I hate the thought of getting rid of a working fireplace. Because there is that weird cutout above, that makes me think the whole shape is kind of fake. If this were my new house, I would chop down the shape and just make it into a regular rectangular fireplace with mantle on top and more in style with the rest of your home. I like the tile hearth and tile hallway, I'd keep those as is. I would also keep that great round top front door. These things look like they are original to the home and from what I can see, they are in good shape. You should concentrate more on the shape of the fireplace and the staircase. Getting those 2 things to match the rest of the charm of the house will do wonders. Good potential here.

I think it's wonderful to have something unique (that is not ugly at all) and would never just turn it into a "regular" fireplace!

Thanks Olychick! It's hard to tell from the pic, but the f/p is in such a weird place, esp with the 80s addition, that it just doesn't carry the same interest as it would if it were in a different space, But your point is well taken, so will keep thinking on it. Thank you very much for your insights!